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Dissimilarities in the toxic response of early chick embryos to DDT administered in different vehicles.

The toxic effects of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (50293) (DDT) were studied in early chick embryos. Chicken eggs were injected with 5 or 10 milligrams (mg) DDT dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide (67685) (DMSO), sesame oil or olive oil. The eggs were incubated at 37 degrees C and at 60 percent relative humidity. Control eggs were placed in a separate incubator under the same environmental conditions. After 5 days of incubation, the embryos were examined. Doses of 5 and 10mg of DDT dissolved in DMSO resulted in mortality rates of about 10 percent for both groups. The same doses of DDT in sesame oil resulted in mortality rates of 25 or 20 percent, respectively. In olive oil, the same doses caused a much higher rate of mortality. The author suggests that the means of administration should be considered when evaluating the toxicity of DDT on the early development of the chick embryo.